Where to stay in Tenerife

Tenerife is one of the most popular of the Canary Islands, and is the perfect destination for year round sun. Tenerife has been a popular holiday destination with the Spanish and other Europeans for decades, and as such has a wide range of activities, an extensive range of hotels ranging from budget to luxury and plenty of restaurants. 

Choosing where to stay in Tenerife can be difficult, however, due to the island’s size you are only ever a short drive away from some of the major attractions. Fortunately, Tenerife has a reliable public transportation network, with many of the smaller towns offering bus services into Santa Cruz, the island’s capital, and to many of the island’s attractions. 

The roads are pristine and driving is pleasant, so you may want to opt to hire a car to get around. If this isn’t your idea of a relaxing vacation but still want to see more of the island, many hotels offer excursions to some of the most popular sites. Here is a guide to five of the best areas to stay in Tenerife. 

Tenerife, Canary Islands

20 Things To Do In Tenerife

Playa de las Américas

Playa de las Américas is possibly the most popular vacation area in Tenerife as it offers everything from pristine sand beaches and a tropical atmosphere to nightclubs and family-friendly activities.

Located in the south of Tenerife, Playa de las Américas is easy to get to from the airport either by public transport, hotel transfers or by hiring a car.

The streets are packed with shops, restaurants, bars and cafes.

Playa de las Américas has excellent beaches and access to a range of water sports activities including snorkelling, pedal boats and inflatable attractions in the water during summer.

If a night on the town is your idea of a perfect holiday, Playa de las Américas has a variety of bars offering live music and themed entertainment nights, and a wide variety of nightclubs.

For those looking for a more relaxing and quieter stay, there are plenty of bars with oceanfront views, ice cream shops, and an excellent promenade running behind the beach area.

Playa de las Américas has easy access to tourist attractions on the island with buses regularly running to destinations such as Monkey Park and Siam Park.

Where To Stay In Playa de las Américas

Luxury: Europe Villa Cortez GL

For one of the best luxury stays in Tenerife, book your stay at Europe Villa Cortez GL, a 5-star Grand Luxury Hotel located right on the beach in Playa de las Américas.

The hotel oozes luxury at every corner which is reflected in its architectural style as the hotel resembles a Mexican mansion.

Each bedroom is exquisitely furnished with custom made Mexican hardwood furniture, colourful bedding and patterned wall papers, and beautiful views.

Bathrooms are spacious and include his and hers sinks, decor in keeping with the opulent Mexican mansion theme, and luxury toiletries.

The hotel has a large swimming pool, 6 restaurants to choose from, a gym, spa and immediate access to the beach.

The hotels restaurants include a buffet, a gourmet restaurant serving a range of traditional local dishes, and a beach club offering snacks during the day.

Europe Villa Cortez GL’s beachfront location allows you to step straight from the hotel onto the beach, and is only a short walk from Playa de las Américas’ shopping area.

Mid range: Alexandre Hotel La Siesta

Alexandre Hotel La Siesta is an excellent four-star hotel in Playa de las Américas.

The hotel is only 300m (984.25ft) from the beach making it the perfect destination to experience the coast and the town itself.

Alexandre Hotel La Siesta is ideal for families as it offers an adults only pool, and a spacious and fun-filled children’s pool.

The hotel has a dedicated area for children called Magic Park with activities including a large games room, indoor playground and outdoor playground.

Alexandre Hotel La Siesta has a number of onsite restaurants including El Drago which offers a buffet style meal, live show cooking and themed dinners showcasing the best dishes from a variety of cultures, and food truck Fiskito, a street food truck offering snacks and drinks.

Budget: Coral Compostela Beach

Coral Compostela Beach is a 3-star hotel in Playa de las Américas that combines an excellent location, friendly staff and clean and spacious rooms to make your stay in the area comfortable and inviting.

The hotel is split into a range of apartments each including a kitchen, spacious bathrooms and balconies overlooking the pool area or out towards the ocean.

There is an onsite restaurant offering a variety of A La Carte dishes, and a snack bar open throughout the day for light bites.

The hotel has an outdoor pool and plenty of space to relax and unwind on a sun lounger.

Its central location opens up a range of attractions to guests within walking distance including the beach and central shopping area.

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Costa Adeje

In the south of the island, further along the coast from Playa de las Américas is Costa Adele, a relaxed and tranquil resort.

The area seamlessly combines relaxation and luxury, and is where some of the most exclusive hotels on the island can be found.

Costa Adeje has excellent shopping areas including many designer boutiques to visit.

Costa Adeje has a wide range of restaurants in the area including those serving typical Canarian dishes such as seafood and canarian potatoes.

It is also only a short drove from popular tourist attractions such as Siam Park, a waterpark designed by the Princess of Thailand in Siamese theming.

One of the best things to do in Costa Adeje is to head out on the water on a whale watching cruise, where lucky visitors may get to see whales and dolphins in their natural habitats.

Where To Stay In Costa Adeje

Luxury: Vincci Selección La Plantación del Sur

For one of the most luxurious stays in Tenerife, look no further than Vincci Selección La Plantación del Sur.

The hotel is designed in the Canarian Colonial Style and features unique furnishings throughout.

Bedrooms are elegant and spacious, with large flat-screen TVs, cosy king-size beds and balconies with sea views.

The bathrooms include a large bath and a hydromassage shower ensuring you are as relaxed as possible during your stay.

The hotel has two onsite restaurants; the first is an excellent Canarian restaurant serving traditional dishes from the islands, and the second specialises in grilled meats which are cooked outside while you watch from your table.

Vincci Selección La Plantación del Sur has three outdoor swimming pools and a spa offering a range of relaxing treatments including facials and massages in relaxing and luxurious surroundings.

The entire hotel and its outdoor areas are filled with a range of tropical plants, adding to the overall feeling of paradise and luxury.

Mid range: Costa Adeje Palace

H10 Costa Adeje Palace is a great hotel to book for your Tenerife vacation for its location and facilities.

The hotel is only 50 m (164 ft) from La Enramada Beach allowing you to relax and unwind on the sands.

Each bedroom is spacious and tastefully designed with light colours in the sleeping areas, and rich blue tiles and marble sinks in the bathrooms that also have large walk-in showers and luxury toiletries.

The bedrooms are bright and airy with large windows and furnished balconies.

The hotel has a large outdoor swimming pool surrounded by sun beds, a spa providing a range of treatments and therapies, and hot tubs.

The spa includes a heated indoor swimming pool, Turkish bath and steam room, and has a range of treatments available.

When booking H10 Costa Adele Palace, a range of dining options are offered including breakfast only, or all-inclusive dining allowing guests to enjoy meals from their buffet or A La Carte restaurants.

Budget: Laguna Park 1

Laguna Park is an excellent 3-star hotel for those looking to relax and unwind, and to have plenty of things for children to do.

The hotel has a spacious outdoor swimming pool that adults and children alike will enjoy spending time in, and for those seeking a little time apart, the hotel offers an excellent mini club for children offering supervised and fun activities, allowing parents some very welcome time off.

Laguna Park 1 has a range of rooms all of which are apartment style and include a kitchen equipped with a fridge, microwave, kettle and toaster, spacious bathrooms and balconies with seating.

The hotel is a short walk of 700m (2296ft) from the beach and is perfectly placed for access to both Aqualand, an outdoor water park, and Siam Park, another water park featuring Thai architecture.

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Puerto de la Cruz

Puerto de la Cruz is the perfect destination to be based if you want access to the ocean and the mountains.

Its northern location on the island means it is a little quieter than the southern tourist resorts, making it ideal for those looking for a more relaxing escape.

Puerto de la Cruz is overlooked by Tenerife’s Mount Teide and is the ideal base for those looking to take advantage of the islands many hiking trails through the national park.

The beaches in Puerto de la Cruz are pristine and are lined with typical Canarian buildings.

Puerto de la Cruz is home to several of the most popular tourist destinations on the island including the Loro Paroque zoo, Botanical Gardens and the impressive Lago Martiánez, a collection of saltwater swimming pools designed by Lanzarote artist César Manrique.

Where To Stay In Puerto de la Cruz

Luxury: Hotel Botanico y Oriental Spa Garden

Hotel Botanico y Oriental Spa Garden is a 5-star luxury hotel in Puerto de la Cruz that offers the ultimate relaxation escape.

The hotel is completely surrounded by 25,000m² (269,097ft²) of lush green gardens filled with tropical plants.

Every corner of the hotel oozes luxury; from the library filled with soft leather sofas and arm chairs to the lobby where a jellyfish aquarium with beautiful and calming moon jellyfish swirl, there is something exquisite around every corner.

The hotel offers three styles of rooms; Doubles Deluxe, Ambassador and Senator suites and Premium Penthouse.

Regardless of what level of bedroom you book, expect to find each room pristinely decorated, furnished and cleaned with large open windows offering spectacular views.

As standard, each bedroom include elegant and comfortable decor and furnishings, spectacular views, private balconies, pillow menus, complimentary luxury toiletries and bathrobes, air conditioning and tea and coffee.

Relax and unwind at the hotels award-winning spa and enjoy massages using volcanic stones, traditional and ancient treatments, and of course time in the outdoor pool.

Mid range: Hotel Puerto Palace

Hotel Puerto Palace is a luxurious and inviting 4-star hotel in Puerto de la Cruz.

The hotel has many gardens and open terraces for relaxing and unwinding in surrounded by lush plants and water features.

There are three swimming pools at the hotel including one dedicated for children.

Every bedroom at the hotel has a balcony overlooking the pool and gardens, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and luxury toiletries in the bathroom.

The bedrooms are elegantly designed in traditional Canarian style with terracotta coloured floor tiles, light walls and artwork showcasing some of the most beautiful landscapes on the island.

There are plenty of things to do if you plan on spending some time in the hotel besides swimming as Hotel Puerto Palace has its own mini-golf course, table tennis area, volleyball courts, tennis courts and gym.

The hotel is ideally located in Puerto de la Cruz for a range of attractions including the Botanical Gardens and Loro Parque, a spacious zoo filled with a variety of animals from across the world.

Budget: 4Dreams Hotel Chimisay

4Dreams Hotel Chimisay is an excellent budget hotel for your stay in Puerto de la Cruz.

The hotel is a short walk from Martiánez Beach and is close to a range of shops, bars and restaurants.

It is also ideally located for access to the Botanical Gardens and Loro Parque which is a favourite destination for families.

The hotel has a roof terrace offering excellent views over the town, out towards the ocean or towards Mount Teide.

Each bedroom is cosily designed and has large and comfortable beds, mini-fridge and desk, private bathrooms with complimentary toiletries and free WiFi throughout.

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Los Christianos

Next to the popular destination of Playa de las Américas is Los Christianos, a coastal town that offers a little more tranquility while still having plenty of things to do during the evening.

Los Christianos is in the south of the island and is situated on the coast, offering magnificent stretches of beaches and access to water activities such as fishing, water sports and whale watching tours.

The area prides itself on its oceanfront location and in the old town you will find much of its historical fishing heritage still shared today.

There are many excellent seafood restaurants serving freshly caught fish in the old town, and a variety of laid-back beach bars for more casual dining.

Los Christianos also has a large harbour area where the local ferries dock to transport passengers between the islands.

Hop on a ferry to neighbouring islands La Palma or La Gomera to see more of the Canary Islands.

Where To Stay In Los Christianos

Luxury: Spring Arona Gran Hotel

Those seeking a luxury stay in Los Christianos should book their vacation at Spring Arena Gran Hotel.

The hotel is elegant throughout with tasteful interior decor in its bedrooms, dining areas, bars and lounges.

The hotel is adults only, and offers plenty of opportunities to relax and unwind including at the well-equipped gym.

There are two large outdoor swimming pools and a spa and wellness centre offering a range of treatments.

Each bedroom is spacious with simple modern design touches and include private balconies, air conditioning, work stations and satellite TV.

The hotel offers a restaurant serving a range of food from its buffet, as well as a snack bar offering light bites throughout the day and a bar serving delicious cocktails.

If you are hiring a car during your vacation, there is free onsite parking, however the hotel is ideally close to the beach and harbour with many things to do within walking distance.

While staying at Spring Arona Gran Hotel take a short walk to the harbour to catch a ferry to neighbouring islands La Palma or La Gomera to see more of the Canary Islands.

Mid range: Sol Arona Tenerife

Three-star Sol Arona Tenerife is the perfect mid-range hotel for your stay in Los Christianos.

The hotel has a large swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers and umbrellas, a garden, mini golf course and children’s play area making it ideal for families.

Each bedroom is bright and airy, with many offering balconies facing the ocean.

Rooms have crisp white linens, spacious bathrooms, flat screen TVs and air conditioning as standard, and in-room safes are available for a small extra charge.

If you are hiring a car during your holiday, Sol Arona Tenerife has a free car park.

The hotel has an excellent buffet restaurant serving a variety of dishes at breakfast, and a range of Canarian dishes and European dishes each evening.

Budget: Beverly Hills Heights

Beverly Hills Heights is a great place to stay in Los Christianos for those on a budget.

This 3-star hotel has everything you need for an enjoyable stay including sea view rooms, a garden to relax in and a spacious outdoor swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers to relax and soak up some rays on.

Rooms at Beverly Hills Heights are apartment-style and include small kitchens with a microwave, kettle and fridge.
Each bedroom has a private bathroom with his and hers sinks, baths and complimentary toiletries.

Beverly Hills Heights also offers guests the opportunity to book onto a range of excursions to take in more of the island from its reception team.

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Golf del Sur

While Golf del Sur is limited in terms of its beach, which is pebble rather than the welcoming golden sands of the south of the island, the area is popular with those looking for the best golf courses in the Canary Islands.

Golf del Sur has many attractive and green golf courses offering varying levels of challenge at each hole.

As the resort is a little further away from some of the most popular family-friendly tourist attractions, it tends to be couples and adults only within the resort, however many hotels are child friendly.

There are regular excursions from the hotels and the small harbour to some of the islands main attractions including Loro Parque and Siam Park, and up to the northern capital city of Santa Cruz.

Where To Stay In Golf del Sur

Luxury: Vincci Tenerife Golf

Vincci Tenerife Golf is an excellent luxury hotel in the Golf del Sur resort of Tenerife.

Bedrooms are spacious and light in design, with large glass screen doors leading out onto private balconies with sea views.

Each bedroom is air conditioned and includes tea and coffee making facilities, safes, private bathrooms and luxury toiletries.

The hotel has a large outdoor swimming pool and plenty of sun loungers surrounding it for sunbathing.

There is also a sun terrace offering loungers in a more relaxed and quiet environment.

Vincci Tenerife Golf has an excellent buffet restaurant offering range of delicious dishes from both Tenerife and Europe, as well as themed nights offering dishes from different cultures.

Enjoy the hotels spa with its treatments, steam room and sauna to fully relax and unwind during your stay.

The hotel is ideally located for access to a range of golf courses and a range of restaurants and bars.

Mid range: Santa Barbara Golf and Ocean Club

Santa Barbara Golf and Ocean Club is an excellent mid-range hotel of apartment-style rooms.

The each apartment has a kitchen fitted with a fridge, oven and hobs.

The apartments are bright and white, with large windows and softly coloured furnishings and elegant artwork.

Santa Barbara Golf and Ocean Club has 2 swimming pools, landscaped gardens to stroll through and spectacular views out over the Atlantic Ocean.

There is also plenty available for children including a games room and children’s club.

The hotel is perfectly located for access to the beach which is a short walk away, and is only a 5-minute walk from the Golf del Sur and Amarilla Golf Courses.

Budget: Green Park

Green Park is another excellent apartment hotel in Golf Del Sur for your Tenerife vacation.

Each room is well furnished with sofas, dining table, flat screen TVs and well-equipped kitchens with microwaves and toasters.

Bedrooms also have an outdoor patio area with seating offering views out over the pool and towards the ocean.

Green Park has a spacious outdoor swimming pool, and is the perfect place to stay if you travel with pets as their apartments are pet friendly.

The apartments at Green Park are ideally located for access to golf clubs in the area including Golf del Sur, and Playa El Barranco beach.

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